A Cal Fire NEU Engine 2363 firefighter works through steep, burned terrain at the Chute Fire on Aug. 2 as crews use infrared-equipped drones to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire NEU

DOBBINS, CA (MPG) - Nearly three weeks after a flare-up sent more than 1,200 firefighters into the rugged Yuba River canyon, the Chute Fire has reached 95% containment, with crews now targeting a handful of stubborn hotspots within the 163-acre burn area.

When the Territorial Dispatch last reported on the fire July 25, it was 40% contained with 1,233 personnel assigned. By that evening, containment had increased to 50% as firefighters worked to establish a 200-foot heat-free buffer around the perimeter. Crews had also begun repairing damage caused during suppression efforts, including dozer lines and roads.

Progress accelerated over the following days. Containment reached 60% the morning of July 26 and 70% by that evening. Firefighters used updated heat maps to identify remaining pockets of heat while conducting mop-up operations more than 200 feet inside the perimeter. Suppression repair crews were also tasked with rehabilitating approximately 35 miles of contingency line constructed in Yuba and Nevada counties during the height of the fire.

By July 27, containment reached 80% in the morning and 90% by that evening. The number of personnel assigned to the incident had dropped to 929 as firefighters began removing excess hose and equipment from the fireline.

A Cal Fire firefighter watches as a helicopter makes a water drop over the steep canyon terrain of the Chute Fire near Dobbins on July 31 as crews continue searching the 163-acre burn area for remaining hotspots. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire NEU

While active fire behavior had largely subsided, the difficult terrain continued to create hazards. Burned trees and those weakened by fire remained a concern, with some capable of continuing to burn internally before falling without warning. Such trees could injure firefighters or potentially roll or fall into unburned vegetation and threaten containment lines.

Firefighters increasingly relied on Cal Fire’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, or UAS, to search for heat in the steep canyon terrain. Drones equipped with infrared technology were able to locate hotspots difficult or dangerous for crews to reach on foot, allowing firefighters to concentrate mop-up efforts on specific areas.

Containment climbed to 92% July 28 and 94% July 29 before reaching 95% July 30. Throughout that period, crews continued patrolling containment lines, extinguishing isolated hotspots, removing equipment and completing suppression repair work. The fire remained at 95% containment through the first week of August.

On Aug. 3, Cal Fire reported that infrared-equipped drones had identified what appeared to be one remaining hotspot, a downed tree registering approximately 500 degrees in a difficult-to-access area. Firefighters hiked into the burn area to extinguish the lingering heat. However, another heat scan Aug. 4 identified three hotspots, sending crews back into the steep terrain amid triple-digit temperatures.

Cal Fire’s latest official incident update, posted Aug. 5, continued to list the Chute Fire at 163 acres and 95% containment, with firefighters remaining on scene to monitor conditions and strengthen containment lines. The cause remains under investigation.

All evacuation orders and warnings associated with the Chute Fire were lifted Aug. 1. Firefighters will continue monitoring the burn area and extinguishing remaining heat until the fire can be declared fully contained.